Stakeholder engagement in biomethane-fueled logistics: an embedded case study from Sweden

Abstract

Purpose

The need to decarbonize logistics is pressing. In implementing fossil-free fuels, like biomethane, involved actors perceive drivers and barriers have been described at a surface level in green logistics literature. However, actors act in the context of each other, and there lacks research to understand the effects these drivers and barriers may have on actor relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to increase understanding of how actors are influenced and influence other actors when using biomethane in logistics.

Design/Methodology/Approach

This study is an embedded case study of a Swedish regional logistics network that has implemented biomethane. The embedded case study is built upon three rounds of interviews: explorative and semi-structured. The analysis is guided by theory on stakeholder engagement to understand the relationship aspects.

Findings

The actors included in the case study perceived drivers and barriers identified in literature to various degrees. These perceptions later affected how they engaged with each other to implement biomethane. Stakeholder engagement in this case study occurred as collaboration, disseminate, and assessing as result of the actor’s perceptions. One example is how organizational culture influences how actors engage in transition to fossil-free fuels.

Originality

This research sheds light on a fossil-free fuel not commonly researched. It also expands the existing research on drivers and barriers by exploring their effect on actor relationships. Use of stakeholder engagement theoretical lens provides depth in understanding of this phenomenon while also proposing further stakeholder engagement.